A Chinese restaurant in Manchester has been fined in excess of £10,000 after mouse droppings were found at the premises.  In circumstances like this and where food can become contaminated, customers can end up having to make a food poisoning claim.

The company closed the restaurant whilst the mouse infestation was brought under control.  The details of the case have only just come to light but officers allowed the restaurant to reopen on 21 November 2012.  The same company had previously accepted a caution in 2010 for similar offences but ignored advice that officers provided.

Which restaurant?

Glamorous Restaurant, Wing Yip Business Centre on Oldham Road in Ancoats, Manchester.

What were they fined?

They were fined a total of £10,418.70.  They pled guilty to 5 offences under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 15 May 2013.

How did the prosecution come about?

A customer complained to the Manchester City Council Environmental Health Team alleging that they had seen mouse droppings in the restaurant.  This prompted a visit from the Manchester City Council Environmental Health Team.

Where were the mouse droppings?

During the inspection the Manchester City Council Environmental Health Team found mouse droppings in a number of places:

• Behind the bar
• Behind equipment in the kitchen
• Inside heated food cabinets
• Inside food containers in the store room
• On the stairs

Any other food safety problems?

Officers also discovered:

• Greasy and dirty walls
• Greasy and dirty floors
• Dirty cloths in use
• Food being stored on the floor
• Raw meat stored next to cooked meats
• Dirty weighing scales
• Dirty refrigerators
• Dirty food preparation surfaces

What have Manchester Council said?

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council executive member for the environment said:

“This was a potentially dangerous violation of basic food hygiene practice and the large fine reflects the seriousness of the problems at Glamorous Restaurant.  The city council will always work with food businesses to help them comply with food safety requirements and prosecution is always a last resort.  However, where businesses fail to act upon officers’ advice and blatantly flout the law, we will not hesitate to take formal action to protect the public.”

What Do The Specialists Say About Food Poisoning?

David Healey from Carter & Carter Solicitors in Stockport commented on this issue earlier:

“To make a food poisoning claim it is important to have as much evidence as possible as in the past, we have found the business in question may try and deny it was them and/or that if it was them there was nothing wrong with the food and they had no other complaints.  If in doubt get in touch”

Handy Tips

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